Centrifugal force compensating mechanism



Jam. 10, 1950 H. H. MERWIN ET AL CENTRIFUGAL FORCE COMPENSATINGMECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 12, 1947 INVENTORS -H. H. MfRW/NE. W- REYNOLDS Jan. m, 1950 H. H. MERWIN ETAL CENTRIF'UGAL FORCECOMPENSATING MECHANISM Filed Nov. I 12, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG-2 vooooao 0 M 0000000 ocooooomokaco INVENTORS H. H- ME'PWIN E.W-REVNOLD5 A'rromvir Patented Jan. 10, 1950 CEN TRIFU GAL FORCE CQMPENSATINGX.

MECHANISM Harry B. Merwin, Rutherford, and-EllwoodEW-zReynoldsgwestfield; N. J assignors to Western; Electric: Company;Incorporated; New York; NRY afcorporation of New York.

ApplicationNovember 12, 1947, Serial No'. 785,272:

This invention relates'to a centrifugal! force compensating'm'echanism,andmore particularly tona centrifugal force compensator in:agdistributing apparatus for a cable stranding machine.

In cablestranding: machines= where 1 selected numbers of insulated-'electrical conductors are grouped together in desired forms as th'eyaread-.' vanced-ithrough the strandersthey are, 1 as 'a rule; rotated aboutthe centerlines of their" advancing paths/whereby textile-strands; papertapes or other insulating materials may be served thereto in" formingcables" of desiredstructure. The rotating movementsof these cablestructures are usually incorporated iH -thE-itak'EHD units ofthestrandrs- Such tak'eup: units are of "the fl'yer type," rotatingabout tha'path' of the-"oable'being formed, and including 1 a'distributor mechanism for a takeup'reel to receive the completed cable,thetakeup reel being rotated-8 on 1 its own axis and-abouttheaXis'ofthe-aflyer unit which is at right angles to its-own'axis;

This invention is more I closely associated withthe distributormechanism for distributing the cable-onthe takeup'reelz'. Theconventional type, of distributor mechanism employs a doublethreadedshaft for reciprocating a distributor element between givenlimits to distribute the cable uniformly on the takeup' ree1.- Thedouble threadedshaft' or screwis positioned at i right angles to.theaxi's of 'rotation of the =flyer; and the distributor element; in'moving outwardly inboth directions away fromvth'eunit axis during itsback and forth movement :controlled by the double threaded-screw; isafie'cted by centrifugal force which not only tends/"toalternatelyaccel-'- erate andretard tries-speed of movement oflthe distributorelementto'create arr-uneven lay in the cable convolutions'bn thetak'eup' reel, but causes excess wear on the double-threaded screw andtheassociated. follower carried by "the dis tributor element blue to thevarying forces "applied tothe distributor element as it travels ineither direction-beyond the center point or-r'the "axis o'fthe-flyerrAnobjeetfof the invention-is to provide-a cen= trifugal' forcecompensating mechanism for an element rotatable ab'outan 'axis =andreciprocated at 'a constant speed transversely of the axis to counteractthe effect of centrifugat force-onthe element to increase 'andretard'its speedof move 'ment away fromor toward the axis;

embodiment 'of-th'e =inverrtion-is used in-"conj metion :with' a:distributing apparatus; in" a wtakieup unit of a materialhandling-machine. v Athreaded member, rotating :aboutemaxis atrighttangles to-the axis of rotation of thertakeupcunit; causesreciprocation: of' a odistributingmelement between given limits to:distribute :strand lik'e Lmateriah on a. takeup. reel. Thee centrifugal:force acompens sating mechanism comprises a member movable with.thedlstributingzelementlto counterbalance the afiect ofpentr'ifugalsforce orrztheielement'rin moving 'beyondgthesaxisotthetakeup unit. More, specifically; the memberristinatl'ie formuof a:sprocket wheel; mounted-swithiits axis iPBIDEIl-i di'cular to- 1 the:axis: of: rotation of the takeup. unit, and carrying diametricallyopposed weights disposed at their :neutral: positions:wherritheadistributing'elementis positioned at the axisof rotas tion:of the unit. An'rendless chain;connectedfto the distributing element;extending around :idler; sprockets disposed: beyond: the? ends of? the'threaded: member: and 'J engaging: the weighted member, causes movementiofthe weighted mem-i her to move the'weights thereon away irom theirnormal positions as" the. distributing element moves-toward either endof thezthreaded-imembeig whereby the weighted" member willibe affected:by centrifugal force toe .opposetheeffeot of teens. tr-ifugal force onthe distributing -element.z

Other objects and advantages-:.wi11beapparent from the followingdetaileddescriptionwhen con sidered- I in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is'a topplanviewiofiawdistributingxappara-tus embodyingth'esinventionshown "in com bination'with a fr-agmentary:=portionof'atak'eup:

unit of a flyer strander:

Fig. 2 is afragmentary-top plan 'view of the structure shown in Fig; 1;illustrating th'e ;difierent= positions of the compensatingmechanismudureing' the extreme outer=positions of thedistributingelements; and i Fig: 3 is afragmentary-sectional"view takenrsubstantially along theline 3 3 ofFi'g; 2?

The machine s'electe'dto illustrate the-invention is a cable'strandingmachine; only a =portion of which is shownin the -'di-"aw-ing:i Machinesof this type-are-"usually composed of several units; .de' pending uponthe number elfinsulating materials served tothe electrical conductorsduring-longistudinal advancement of the e conductors =toward the takeupunit: The takeup;unit-embodies -a flzver it; supported in--a--suitable-= frame structure r (not shown) and rotated aboutan'axiscoincident with the centerline of; theconductors or--- cable? advancingthrough 'th'e maehirxee Only a portion of the flyer II! is shown in thedrawings, and it has not been thought necessary to illustrate thesupporting and driving means for the flyer, as such are common in theart. A takeup reel II is supported between a driven cone I2 and a drivecone I4, connected to the reel by a suitable gear reducing unit I6, theinput shaft I'I therefor being connected to the conventional drivingmeans.

The distributing mechanism for distributing a completed cable [8 on thtakeup reel II includes a distributing element I9, having parallelrollers 20 to control the path of the cable I8 as it advances toward thetakeup reel. The distributing element I 9 has lateral arms 2I withaligned apertures 22 therein through which a supporting rod 23 extends,the ends of the supporting rod being mounted in embossed portions 24 ofthe main frame of the flyer ID.

A vertical arm 25 is integral with the distributing element I 9 and hasa roller 26 mounted on its lower end to ride in a channel type track 21positioned parallel with the rod 23 and supported in a suitable manner(not shown). A follower 30, of the conventional type employed inconjunction with double threaded distributor screws, is supported by thearm 25 and allowed to rock to reverse its position at each end of adistributor screw.

A double threaded distributor screw 3i of the conventional type ispositioned parallel with the rod 23 and has its ends rotatablyjournalled in suitable bearings 32, only one of which is shown. Thescrew 2| carries a gear 34 which is driven from the shaft I! in anysuitable manner (not shown).

The centrifugal force compensating mechanism, which constitutes thesalient feature of this invention, includes a rotatable member 35 in theform of a sprocket wheel mounted on bearings 38 supported by bushings ona bolt or shaft 31 which is perpendicular to the axis of the unit III orflyer and in a plane therewith. The shaft 31 is supported by brackets 38mounted on the main frame of the flyer I to rotate therewith. The member35 carries substantially pieshaped weights 48 mounted at diametricallyopposed positions, the center lines of which are parallel with the pathof movement of the distributing element I 9 when the distributingelement is in its neutral or center position. A chain 4| has its endssecured at 42 to the arms 2| of the distributing element I91 to formsubstantially an endless chain, extending around idler sprockets 43, andinterengaging teeth 44 on the periphery of the member 35. The sprocketwheels 43 are rotatably supported by shafts 45 carried by yokes 46supported at diametrically opposed positions on the main frame II] ofthe flyer unit.

During the operation of the machine, the takeup reel I I is rotatedabout its axis to pull the cable through the machine, and in so doing,pull the initial insulated electrical conductors through the differentunits of the machine where insulating materials may be served thereto,and if desired, a final textile covering may be formed to complete thecable befor it reaches the takeup unit. During rotation of the takeupreel II, the flyer unitlil, including the reel, the distributormechanism, and the centrifugal force compensating mechanism, are rotatedabout the axis of the unit. The driving means for the reel also drivesthe distributor screw 3| continuously in a given direction, causing thedistributing element to reciprocate on the rod 23 through the shown inbroken lines in Fig. 2.

aid of a track 21' between the given limits to distribute the cable onthe reel. The speed of rotation of the flyer unit I 0 is such that themoment the distributor element I9 moves in either direction from itscentral position, shown in Fig. 1, centrifugal force will tend to causeit to move at a faster rate of speed in that direction. The centrifugalforce applied to the distributing element I9 will increase as theelement moves toward either end of the distributing screw. It isnecessary that sufficient clearance be present between the threads ofthe distributor screw to allow for the follower 30 to move freely. Thecentrifugal force, however, causes the follower to press against theoutermost thread and in time causes wear between the follower and thethreads to increase the clearance between the threads. This results alsoin inaccurate distribution of the cable on the takeup reel, The varyingforce applied to the distributing element causes variation in the wearof the threads as follower 30 approaches the ends of th distributingscrew. Furthermore, this force, applied to the follower through thedistributor element, remains during reversing of the follower at theends of the distributing screw and while the follower returns to thecentral position of the distributing element, as shown in Fig. 1.

The weights 40, through the action of the member 35, will compensate forthe effect of the centrifugal force on the distributing element I9. Whenthe distributing element I9 is in its central position, as shown in Fig.1, the member 35 is in its inactive position with the weights 40 at thefarthest position from the axis of th unit I8. As the distributingelement I9 moves to the left, the member 35 will be rotated clockwisethrough the driving connection of the chain 4| therewith, moving theweights toward the axis of the unit I0 whereby they will be increasinglyaffected by centrifugal force during rotation of the flyer to apply acounteracting force to the distributing element I9 at varying ratesproportionately to the increase in centrifugal force applied to theelement. This condition will exist during movement of the distributorelement from its central position, shown in Fig. l, to the farthestposition at the left, shown in solid lines in Fig. 2. The positions ofthe weights 40 at this time are also shown in solid lines in Fig. 2. Thecounteracting force ofthe member 35 with its weights 40 will be appliedto the distributing clement I9 through the chain 4i during bothmovements away from and back to the center position. At this moment,when the distributing element I9 continues movin to the right, to thebroken line position shown in Fig. 2, the member 35 will continue itscounterclockwise movement to the position where the weights 49 are Thisaction continues throughout the operation of the takeup unit and thecontinued operation of the distributing element in distributing thecable on the takeup reel. By applying a counteracting force to thedistributing element, equal to the varying force created therein duringrotation of the unit Ill and during its movement in opposite directionsfrom the neutral or center position, the distributing element may bemoved freely during rotation of the distributing screw to uniformlydistribute the cable on the reel and to eliminate excess wear betweenthe relatively moving parts.

It is to be understood, that the above described arrangements are simplyillustrative of the. ab-

plication of the principles of the invention.

Numerous other arrangements may be readily devised by those skilled inthe art which will embody the principles of the invention and fallwithin the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A centrifugal force compensating mechanism for an element rotatableabout an axis and having means to simultaneously reciprocate the ele?ment transversely of the axis between given lim its at each side of theaxis, the element, as it moves in either direction toward or away fromthe axis, being affected by a varying centrifugal force tending toincrease the speed of movement of the element outwardly from the axisand retard the speed of movement of the element toward the axis, thecentrifugal force compensating mechanism comprising a member havingspaced weight portions mounted adjacent the axis and rotatable about theaxis with the element, and means connecting the member to the elementand actuated thereby to cause movement of the member duringreciprocation of the element whereby the weight portions of the memberwill be moved relative to the axis to counteract the centrifugal forcestending to increase and retard the speed of movement of the element.

2. A centrifugal force compensating mechanism for an element rotatableabout an axis and having means to simultaneously reciprocate the elementtransversely of the axis between given limits at each side of the axis,the element, as it moves in either direction toward or away from theaxis, being affected by a varying centrifugal force tending to increasethe speed of movement of the element outwardly from the axis and retardthe speed of movement of the element toward the axis, the centrifugalforce compensating mechanism comprising a member having spaced weightportions mounted adjacent the axis and rotatable about the axis with theelement, means to support the member for rotation about an axisperpendicular to the said first axis, and means connecting the member tothe element and actuated thereby to cause movement of the member duringreciprocation of the element whereby the weight portions of the memberwill be moved relative to the axis to counteract the centrifugal forcestending to increase and retard the speed of movement of the element.

3. A centrifugal force compensating mechanism for an element rotatableabout an axis and having means to simultaneously reciprocate the elementtransversely of the axis between given limits at each side of the axis,the element, as it moves in either direction toward or away from theaxis, being affected by a varying centrifugal force tending to increasethe speed of movement of the element outwardly from the axis and retardthe speed of movement of the element toward the axis, the centrifugalforce compensating mechanism comprising a member having spaced weightportions mounted adjacent the axis and rotatable about the axis with theelement, means to support the member for rotation about an axisperpendicular to the said first axis, and a flexible driving meansconnecting the member to the element and actuated by the element tocause rotation of the member about its axis during reciprocation of theelement whereby the weight portions of the member will be moved relativeto the first axis to counteract the centrifugal forces tending toincrease and retard the speed of movement of the element.

4. A centrifugal force compensating mechanism for an element rotatableabout an axis and having means to simultaneously reciprocate the elementtransversely of the axis between given limits at each side of the axis,the element, as it moves in either direction toward or away from theaxis, being affected by a varying centrifugal force tending to increasethe speed of movement of the element outwardly from the axis and retardthe speed of movement of the element toward the axis, the centrifugalforce compensating mechanism comprising a member having spaced weightportions mounted adjacent the axis and rotatable about the axis with theelement, means to support the member for rotation about an axis perpendicular to the said first axis, and a driving means connecting themember to the element and actuated by the element to cause rotation ofthe member in either direction from its neutral position as the elementmoves in given directions from its neutral position adjacent the firstaxis whereby the weight portions of the member will be moved givendistances from their neutral positions proportional to the distances theelement moves beyond the first axis to counteract the effect of thecentrifugal forces tending to increase and retard the speed of movementof the element.

5. A centrifugal force compensating mechanism for a distributing elementin a takeup unit rotatable about a given axis at right angles to theaxis of rotation of a takeup reel mounted in and rotatable with the unitabout its axis, the distributing element being reciprocated betweengiven limits upon each side of the unit axis by a driving screw todistribute a strand material on the takeup reel, the distributingelement being affected by a varying centrifugal force as it moves ineither direction toward or away from the unit axis tending to increasethe speed of movement of the distributing element outwardly from theunit axis and retard the speed of movement of the distributing elementtoward the unit axis, the centrifugal force compensating mechanismcomprising a member having spaced weight portions mounted adjacent theunit axis and means connecting the member to the distributing elementand actuated thereby to cause movement of the member duringreciprocation of the distributing element whereby the weight portions ofthe member will be moved relative to the unit axis to counteract thecentrifugal forces tending to increase and retard the speed of movementof the distributing element.

HARRY H. MERWIN. ELLWOOD W. REYNOLDS.

No references cited.

